UX Lab SPECIAL: ICE Training & Reach Ahead at Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford
UX Lab SPECIAL: ICE Training & Reach Ahead at Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford
Sector & Price:
Sector & Price:
All sectors
All sectors
$100 per student
$100 per student
Requirements Met:
Requirements Met:
Sector-partnered experience - ICE
Sector-partnered experience - ICE
Reach ahead experience
Reach ahead experience
Date:
Date:
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Time:
Time:
9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Address:
Address:
1 Market St, Brantford, ON N3T 2H1
1 Market St, Brantford, ON N3T 2H1
Overview:
Overview:
Wilfrid Laurier University’s User Experience (UX) Design program in Brantford blends creativity, technology, and human-centered design to improve how people interact with products, services, and digital environments. Students learn to tackle real-world challenges through design thinking, user research, and collaboration with industry partners.
At our SHSM ICE (Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship) training event co-hosted with WLU UX Design, students will learn from industry professionals and professors who are leading work in human-centered technology. Their research spans adaptive digital interfaces, VR, social robotics, technology adoption, and digital equity. Students will also get a tour of the UX labs, giving them a closer look at where cutting-edge design research happens. Hearing from experts and seeing the work up close will help students understand how UX designers tackle real-world challenges and why thoughtful design matters in creating accessible, engaging, and inclusive technology.
This event is a great opportunity for students interested in design, tech, or innovation to gain meaningful hands-on experience and learn about one of Canada’s most in-demand career paths.
Wilfrid Laurier University’s User Experience (UX) Design program in Brantford blends creativity, technology, and human-centered design to improve how people interact with products, services, and digital environments. Students learn to tackle real-world challenges through design thinking, user research, and collaboration with industry partners.
At our SHSM ICE (Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship) training event co-hosted with WLU UX Design, students will learn from industry professionals and professors who are leading work in human-centered technology. Their research spans adaptive digital interfaces, VR, social robotics, technology adoption, and digital equity. Students will also get a tour of the UX labs, giving them a closer look at where cutting-edge design research happens. Hearing from experts and seeing the work up close will help students understand how UX designers tackle real-world challenges and why thoughtful design matters in creating accessible, engaging, and inclusive technology.
This event is a great opportunity for students interested in design, tech, or innovation to gain meaningful hands-on experience and learn about one of Canada’s most in-demand career paths.
Leading Professors:
Leading Professors:
Dr. John Edison Muñoz Cardona is a UX researcher and professor who has worked with tech companies around the world. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Waterloo, earned his PhD in Human Computer Interaction in Portugal, and even completed an internship at NASA Langley. With a background in physics and bioengineering, his work focuses on creating digital experiences that respond to people’s needs. He studies areas like serious games, VR, social robots, and interfaces that adapt to a user’s stress or focus level. His goal is to design technology that is more intuitive, inclusive, and engaging for everyone.
Faculty website:
Dr. John Edison Muñoz Cardona is a UX researcher and professor who has worked with tech companies around the world. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Waterloo, earned his PhD in Human Computer Interaction in Portugal, and even completed an internship at NASA Langley. With a background in physics and bioengineering, his work focuses on creating digital experiences that respond to people’s needs. He studies areas like serious games, VR, social robots, and interfaces that adapt to a user’s stress or focus level. His goal is to design technology that is more intuitive, inclusive, and engaging for everyone.
Faculty website:
Dr. Maurita T. Harris is a professor who studies how technology can support people’s well-being as they age. She completed her master’s and PhD in Community Health at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and now teaches in both UX Design and Social Justice at Wilfrid Laurier University. Dr. Harris leads the Well-Tech Research and Design Lab, where she works with experts from many fields to understand how technology can be designed for everyone. Her research focuses on how people adopt new technology, how to reduce digital and health inequities, and how digital tools can help people stay independent and make healthy choices.
Faculty website:
Dr. Maurita T. Harris is a professor who studies how technology can support people’s well-being as they age. She completed her master’s and PhD in Community Health at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and now teaches in both UX Design and Social Justice at Wilfrid Laurier University. Dr. Harris leads the Well-Tech Research and Design Lab, where she works with experts from many fields to understand how technology can be designed for everyone. Her research focuses on how people adopt new technology, how to reduce digital and health inequities, and how digital tools can help people stay independent and make healthy choices.
Faculty website:
Trailer:
Trailer:
Agenda:
Agenda:
😀 9:00am - 9:30am: Students arrive (we will be there to greet you, don’t worry!)
🌞 9:30am - 9:45am: Warm up activity (after all, we need to get warmed up!)
🧊 9:45am - 12:00pm: Hands-on (dare we say fun) workshop on Innovation, Creativity & Entrepreneurship
🍱 12:00pm - 12:30pm: Lunch break (our power levels are low, initiating lunch recharge!)
🏫 12:30pm - 1:00pm: Facility tour (discover the magic behind WLU)
💡 1:00pm - 2:00pm: Students work on ICE Challenge (a case in partnership with a real client)
🏆 2:00pm - 2:15pm: Student presentations (winner takes all!)
🍬 2:15pm - 2:30pm: Wrap up (yes, there will be candy)
😀 9:00am - 9:30am: Students arrive (we will be there to greet you, don’t worry!)
🌞 9:30am - 9:45am: Warm up activity (after all, we need to get warmed up!)
🧊 9:45am - 12:00pm: Hands-on (dare we say fun) workshop on Innovation, Creativity & Entrepreneurship
🍱 12:00pm - 12:30pm: Lunch break (our power levels are low, initiating lunch recharge!)
🏫 12:30pm - 1:00pm: Facility tour (discover the magic behind WLU)
💡 1:00pm - 2:00pm: Students work on ICE Challenge (a case in partnership with a real client)
🏆 2:00pm - 2:15pm: Student presentations (winner takes all!)
🍬 2:15pm - 2:30pm: Wrap up (yes, there will be candy)
Helpful Info:
Helpful Info:
Schedule Flexibility
Schedule Flexibility
We understand that bus schedules often shape your day more than you do. We're happy to adjust the agenda to fit your timing needs. Just let us know as early as possible if your school has any specific constraints.
We understand that bus schedules often shape your day more than you do. We're happy to adjust the agenda to fit your timing needs. Just let us know as early as possible if your school has any specific constraints.
Tentative Scheduling
Tentative Scheduling
Event dates may be subject to change based on sector partner availability. Final details and confirmations will be shared at least one month prior to your scheduled field trip.
Event dates may be subject to change based on sector partner availability. Final details and confirmations will be shared at least one month prior to your scheduled field trip.
Backup Plan
Backup Plan
In the event of school closures due to weather or other unforeseeable circumstances, events will be rescheduled.
In the event of school closures due to weather or other unforeseeable circumstances, events will be rescheduled.
Group Size Update
Group Size Update
Please register the number of students you plan to bring. You’re welcome to swap students, but adding more requires prior approval. Just send us an email and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Please register the number of students you plan to bring. You’re welcome to swap students, but adding more requires prior approval. Just send us an email and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Update Timeline
Update Timeline
Please let us know of any changes to your group size at least two weeks before the event.
Please let us know of any changes to your group size at least two weeks before the event.
Absence Policy
Absence Policy
No-shows will be charged the full event fee. However, we are happy to offer a free online training session for any students who are absent.
No-shows will be charged the full event fee. However, we are happy to offer a free online training session for any students who are absent.
Group Supervision
Group Supervision
Please bring the right number of staff or chaperones based on your school board’s guidelines.
Please bring the right number of staff or chaperones based on your school board’s guidelines.
Drop-off Location:
Drop-off Location:
The bus drop-off location is on Market Street, directly in front of the Market Square. Our staff will be waiting there to guide you to the event space.
The bus drop-off location is on Market Street, directly in front of the Market Square. Our staff will be waiting there to guide you to the event space.
UX Lab SPECIAL: ICE Training & Reach Ahead at Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford